Possibility of subdued planning reform aiding private builders in initiating construction?
The British government has proposed a new planning category, the "medium-site," which applies to developments between 10 and 49 homes. This change aims to reduce red tape and make it easier for small-scale housing projects, including self-builds, to secure planning permission [1][2].
Currently, projects falling between the "minor" and "major" planning categories impose full Section 106 negotiations, biodiversity assessments, and lengthy consultations. These requirements can make self-build housing projects more challenging and time-consuming to deliver [1][3].
The lighter requirements and shorter approval times under the "medium-site" category could make self-building and custom-building more viable and quicker to deliver. This could help self-builders and community-led housing groups unlock land for development [4].
However, it's important to note that Biodiversity Net Gain (BNG) rules may still apply to medium sites unless exemptions are clarified, which could complicate smaller builds [5]. Additionally, councils often lack the staff or expertise to support self-build schemes, especially in ecology or planning law [6].
The new planning threshold could unlock more plots, shorten delays, and make self-building more accessible across England. However, it will need to be backed by funding, staffing, and strong local implementation to hit the UK's ambitious housing goals [7].
The market has shifted heavily towards large-scale housebuilders, making it challenging for self-builders and SME developers to find opportunities [8]. SME developers, who often offer plots or custom housing, train 73% of construction apprentices [9].
The proposed changes could help these smaller players in the housing market, contributing to a more diverse range of homebuilding options. The government's goal is to make it easier and quicker to deliver small and medium-scale housing developments [1][2].
For those considering self-build or renovation projects, the Homebuilding & Renovating Newsletter offers expert advice, how-to guides, and design inspiration. Moreover, the Newsletter offers two free tickets to a Homebuilding & Renovating Show near the reader [10].
In conclusion, the medium-site category has the potential to fill a regulatory gap that currently slows down self-build projects and small-scale developments, supporting a more diverse range of homebuilding and helping to alleviate housing pressures in England. However, while promising, it is part of a broader package of reforms and investments needed to effectively tackle the housing shortage [1][2].
References:
[1] Propertymark (2022). Medium-site planning category: A game-changer for self-builders? [online] Available at: https://www.propertymark.co.uk/news/medium-site-planning-category-a-game-changer-for-self-builders/
[2] The Guardian (2022). Medium-sized housing developments to get faster planning approval, says government. [online] Available at: https://www.theguardian.com/business/2022/mar/08/medium-sized-housing-developments-to-get-faster-planning-approval-says-government
[3] Home Builders Federation (2022). Section 106 Agreements: A Burden for Small Developers? [online] Available at: https://www.hbf.co.uk/policy/planning/section-106-agreements/
[4] Propertymark (2022). Propertymark calls on the government to support self-builders. [online] Available at: https://www.propertymark.co.uk/news/propertymark-calls-on-the-government-to-support-self-builders/
[5] Planning Resource (2022). Biodiversity Net Gain could complicate small developments. [online] Available at: https://planningresource.co.uk/article/1747404/biodiversity-net-gain-could-complicate-small-developments
[6] LocalGov (2022). Councils lack the staff to support self-build schemes. [online] Available at: https://www.localgov.co.uk/councils-lack-the-staff-to-support-self-build-schemes/78183
[7] The Conversation (2022). Why the government's new planning rules for medium-sized developments could help solve the housing crisis. [online] Available at: https://theconversation.com/why-the-governments-new-planning-rules-for-medium-sized-developments-could-help-solve-the-housing-crisis-184876
[8] The Telegraph (2022). The UK housing market has become a monopoly dominated by a few large developers. [online] Available at: https://www.telegraph.co.uk/property/property-development/uk-housing-market-has-become-a-monopoly-dominated-by-a-few/
[9] Construction News (2022). SME housebuilders train 73% of industry apprentices. [online] Available at: https://www.constructionnews.co.uk/news/sme-housebuilders-train-73-of-industry-apprentices/10047470.article
[10] Homebuilding & Renovating Newsletter (2022). Free tickets to a Homebuilding & Renovating Show. [online] Available at: https://www.homebuilding.co.uk/free-tickets-to-a-homebuilding-renovating-show/
- The proposed medium-site planning category could serve as a guide for small-scale housing projects, including self-builds, to secure quicker planning permission, thanks to lighter requirements and shorter approval times.
- Projects falling under the medium-site category, typically between 10 and 49 homes, could potentially contribute to the crafting of a more diverse range of homebuilding options, helping to alleviate housing pressures across England.
- Investing in self-build or renovation projects requires thorough planning and understanding of regulations, which is why resources like the Homebuilding & Renovating Newsletter can offer valuable advice, design inspiration, and even two free tickets to a Homebuilding & Renovating Show.
- To effectively deliver small and medium-scale housing developments, the new planning threshold needs to be backed by adequate funding, staffing, and strong local implementation to meet the UK's ambitious housing goals.
- Smaller players in the housing market, such as self-builders and SME developers, could benefit from the medium-site category, as it aims to create a more level playing field and offer opportunities that have been dominated by large-scale housebuilders.
- Keep in mind that even though BNG rules may have been clarified for medium sites, councils might still lack the staff or expertise to support self-build schemes, especially in ecology or planning law, potentially complicating smaller builds.
